Light at the End of the Tunnel - 52 Pair Plunge III

This morning I finished Pair No. 48 in the 52 Pair Plunge III - four more pairs of socks left. Four more pairs to be completed by June 1. I think I'm going to make it. I hit the doldrums back in January and took some much needed time off from sock knitting to work on a couple of much needed sweaters. I'm already planning a contest in celebration of the completion of Pair No. 52. In the meantime, here are Pairs 45, 46, 47 and 48:

Pairs 45, 46 and 47 are baby-sized socks made from left-over yarn from other sock projects. Pair No. 48 is made from one my favorites, Brown Sheep Wildfoote in the Deco Lime colorway. This yarn was marked as seconds and usually when that happens with Brown Sheep yarn it means there was a problem with the colorway. While some may not like the color, I don't think that was the case this time. This yarn was very "splitty" and that is very unusual for Brown Sheep and is one of the reasons I really enjoy knitting with their yarn. While this knitting experience was not the most positive, I'm still very pleased with the socks (and yes, I love the color!). The pattern is a K1/p4 broken rib.

Now on to Pair No. 49!

1 + 1 + 1 = 1

So when does 3 = 1? When you take three single plies and make them into a 3-ply yarn! I spun the three bobbins of very fine singles of hand-painted superwash wool to the left and then spent the past few lunch hours plying them into the yarn on the jumbo bobbin to the right. The yarn on the right is very fine in diameter and hopefully, after handwashing and air drying, it will measure out to fingering or sock weight yarn. This was my Tour de Fleece challenge that I didn't finish in time. I think I may have way more yardage than I need for a pair of socks; but with hand spun yarn, it's not like you can go to the store and get another skein.

When I was running road races, I used to dream about coming in after the race was all over and every one had left. Fortunately, that never happened - until now. I finished up the challenge about a week and a half after the end of the race! I'm looking forward to making this yarn into socks.

On the Needles: Currently, I have a stealth project on the needles. A new toe-up pattern which works up very quickly. Hopefully, I'll have the pattern posted with photos for the next blog. It took some doing, but I am finally down to doing one project at a time. The loophole in that philosophy is that I have one project on the needles, one project on the hook, one project on the spindle and yet another on the quilting machine.

Off the Needles: I have finished the Knit One Below bag, and will photograph it after it's been felted. After my last disaster felting, I can't quite bring myself to put it in the washing machine - quite yet at any rate.

Also, off the needles is Pair No. 13 of the 52 Pair Plunge III - another pair of Waterfall Socks. This pair was made with Tess of Maine Designer Yarn. Love the base yarn, love the color, hate that color came off in my hands. I will have to wash these before wearing them - probably using a Color Catcher sheet or I'll have blue feet! I think the Waterfall Socks (designed by WendyKnits) look much better in this yarn than the Mini-Mochi.

52 Books in 52 Weeks/Book 34: The Dark Horse, by Craig Johnson. This is the latest in the Sheriff Walt Longmire series - another one of my favorites. The characters make this book and the plot's not half bad either. In this one, the Sheriff goes undercover to investigate the murder of the husband of a woman sitting in his jail. This series reminds of a modern-day Lone Ranger, complete with an Indian sidekick. There's great action and while the endings may not be a sappy as the Lone Ranger, they are good, strong resolutions. I got to the end of this one on a Sunday night, knowing full well I had to get up early for work on Monday. I also knew I couldn't sleep until I finished it. So I dragged myself around all Monday, drinking way too much coffee - but it was worth it.

Lost & Found

From time to time I get the urge to organize. Usually, it happens at the first of the year. The next most common time is when I have been unable to find something. As I discovered today, those two times can collide into disaster.

I could not find something in my office. It's not material what it is, but it is important. I looked in all the logical places and organized as I went. There was still a glaring hole in the middle of the data range of the documents. In the course of looking for that glaring hole, I moved two boxes of recycled paper, mostly in the form of catalogs and magazines out of my office and eliminated, three rather large piles of "stuff" of the paper variety, mostly advertisements and articles I had cut out, for what reason, I don't know anymore. I also knocked three chessmen behind the file cabinet - probably to remain until we re-carpet or move. Once the piles were eliminated, I noticed a pristine narrow three-ring binder on the file cabinet. I looked inside. It was the glaring hole I'd been looking for, the victim of my organizational efforts from the first of the year.

I'm finding the blank places on my desk and floor a little scary - but I'll get used to them, I hope.

Off the Needles: Nanner Socks, designed by Wendy D. Johnson, in my very own Sheepish Fibers Big Foot in Lemon Drop. I like my socks to hit about mid-shin so if my slacks ride up, folks just get to look at more of my socks! I'm very happy with these. It's a fun pattern and available on Ravelry or WendyKnits website. Incidentally, these are Pair #10 of the 52 Pair Plunge III and yet another pair for Summer of Socks 2009 and the Great Sock Off. I haven't figured up the yardage yet for Limenviolet's Sock Marathon, but I'm well over four miles already and three was my goal, so give math is my least favorite activity, it may not get figured up. (This math stuff cuts into my knitting time!)

On the Needles: I had so much with the Nanner Socks, I started Wendy D. Johnson's Waterfall Socks (which are available at the same two locations - did I mention it's a free download?) I am using the Mini Mochi that I purchased at Stitches West. In fact, I purchased this yarn after I saw WendyKnits pair of Waterfall Socks in Mini Mochi. It was all the rage at Stitches West, but I'm not convinced a single-ply yarn is appropriate for socks, particularly one that is so softly spun. I did use re-enforcing thread in the toes. I will be very surprised if they don't felt while I'm wearing them - but I'll keep you posted.

I also have a pair of children's socks on the needles for a yarn review for Knitting Purls, so I'll show those there first. Incidentally, Knitting Purls is a free publication and you can subscribe by contacting them at info@knittingpurls.com.

On the Spindle/Off the Spindle: I'm still treadling away on the Tour de Fleece roving. I now have two bobbins completed, count 'em two bobbins! I'm not sure I'll get this completed by the end of the tour, but I'll be so far along, I'll finish soon after. I can't wait to start the plying of this to see how it comes out.

52 Books in 52 Weeks/Book 32: A Widow for One Year, by John Irving. I haven't read anything current from John Irving, so I can't say if he is still using the same elements or not. One of the fascinating things about a John Irving novel is his use of many of the same elements, but he integrates them into a totally different story. In his earlier novels, like Garp and Hotel New Hampshire and to some extent, Cider House Rules, he utilizes elements like child death, hotels, prostitution, writers, sexual intercourse in multiples and a child who misinterprets a word or phrase (under tow in Garp; ring bearer in Widow). He weaves these into a story much like a fiber artist, who uses many of the same fibers, but in different colors and textures, into a wonderful story. I rarely "like" his female characters, in that they aren't the kind of people I generally associate, but always "love" his male characters, who are usually just as flawed as his female characters, but much more charming. This is a great book and well worth the time.

Strip Tease

Hopefully, the title caught your attention! If not, the socks should! This pair is from the Strip Tease colorway from Tempted at 3am. The pattern is also from Tempted and both were part of the April Sock Club. Try as I might, I've had problems getting in on sock clubs, but I signed up just in time on this one. While the photo doesn't do the yarn justice, you should know that they have some sparkly and that sparkly is silver spun into the yarn. Again, I had to do some significant alterations so that these would fit me. I am truly beginning to realize just how small my feet are! It is difficult to see the stitch pattern on these, but it is a simple lace pattern that zigs back and forth like it was . . . going up a pole. Really.

These socks used 288 yards, which brings me to a total of 4318 yards since February 1 or 2.45 miles for the Limenviolet Sock Yarn Marathon. These socks are also my April entry for The Great Sock Off of 2009.

ON MY NEEDLES: In another attempt to expand my knitting horizons, I'm working on a pair of socks from the pattern "Veil of Leaves" from New Pathways for Sock Knitters, Book One, by Cat Borhdi. Rather than the usual ribbed cuff that I usually do, these has an invisible cast-on that ends up as a tube. I did mine the Lucy Neatby way, rather than the way described in the book.

Again, I had to size down. I went to talk by Cat Borhdi at Stitches West. I made a point of looking at her feet - they aren't that big! That's when I realized, my feet are just that small.

I'm using one my favorite commercial sock yarns - Trekking. The colorway is called "Fog", but there's just too much of a gold color mixed in the tweed to look like fog does around here in the Dakotas.

ON THE MACHINE: I've had this delightful quilt on the long-arm machine for quite awhile. I also have others to finish quilting. I thought if I added an "On the Machine" feature to the blog, I might feel guilty enough to finish these quilts - remember I said "might." Tessellating Kitties is designed by Jinny Beyer and is paper-pieced, using Jinny Beyer-designed fiber. Did I mention I'm a Jinny Beyer fan?

52 Books in 52 Weeks/Book 19: Cat Pay the Devil, by Shirley Rousseau Murphy. Thanks to this mystery, I've got my reading mojo back. I've read others in the series and really wish I would have read these in order, but I didn't. The saga of the talking cats and their ability to solve mysteries and rescue their furless counterparts never ceases to entertain me. It's not so far fetched that it seems like fantasy or science fiction, but just different enough to intrigue me. This time the human roommate of Dulcie, one of the cats, is kidnapped by a former parolee Wilma supervised. Fast-paced, excellent characterisations, this Joe Grey Mystery does not disappoint.

Stitches West

It seems as though we spent most of last week either getting to the San Jose/Santa Clara area of California or attending Stitches West. We had a wonderful time, had an opportunity to visit with our son and his wife and enjoy much warmer temperatures than we experience in South Dakota in the winter. I also had a chance to attend Market at Stitches West as well as some wonderful classes.

I intended to purchase much more than the four skeins you see above, and planned on shipping my shopping home via UPS. Frankly, I was so overwhelmed by the selection, I couldn't decide. Fortunately, I did have a list the opening night of market and snatched up a couple skeins of Mini Mochi (in the center) and Socks That Rock (on the bottom). I say fortunately, because had I waited until Friday, I would have been out of luck. There was a booth near the front exit with the skeins at the top. I walked by them, I don't know how many times, and they kept calling to me, so I purchased those as well. As far as colors go, those two are my favorites.

Also, I went to three very different classes, from three very different instructors: Pattern Drafting with Edie Eckman, Even Cooler Socks with Lucy Neatby and Stashology with Chris Blysma. All were superb and well worth the price of admission. With every class I left with new information.

I have a difficult time traveling without a project and this time was no different. I worked on a pair of toe-up, two-at-a-time socks, made with Limes & Violet sock yarn. The pattern is called Pillars of Fire and is really for one sock at a time (both the yarn and pattern can be purchased at the Loopy Ewe). One of the socks is being modelled by my new foot. This sock, like many of my other projects in 2009 fulfills a number of challenges on Ravelry, including: The Knitting purls Toe Up Knit-A-Long, the Limenviolet 2009 Sock Marathon (320 yards for socks/1815 yards total for Marathon or a little over a mile) and the 2009 Great Sock Off Marathon.

Also, when I travel I read a lot, particularly on the plane. This past week I finished off three for the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge:

Book 11: The Cat Who Blew the Whistle, by Lilian Jackson Braun - another entry in the "Cat Who" series. this one involved the disappearance of the owner or a credit union and party train.

Book 12: Unraveled Sleeve, by Monica Ferris. This is one of the series that involves the owner of a needlework shop in Excelsior, Minnesota, who is a reluctant detective. This time she's on the North Shore of Lake Superior and solves the mystery of the demise of a mystery instructor at a needlework retreat.

Book 13: The Cat Who Lived High, by Lilian Jackson Braun - this was the last of the series I needed to read. It's taken a lot of years as I started with the first on when I was in grade school. In this one, Qwill and the cats go back to the city in hopes of saving an architectural gem.

Belle Epoque Socks

When I saw the pattern for these socks in "2-at-a-time Socks" by Melissa Morgan-Oakes, I knew I had to try them. I don't buy a lot of solid-colored sock yarn and this pattern would be completely lost on the multi-colored yarn I usually chose. While light blue is not exactly my color, it was on sale at my local yarn store and I figured that these socks would at least go with jeans.

The picot edging on the top (you can barely see it in the photo) is what initially caught my eye. It was super easy to do and a nice departure from ribbing at the top. The cable is not really a cable and the pattern is so much fun, these socks go by in no time. I am really sold by the "2-at-a-time" method. At first, it seemed like it took forever to get a pair done, but not anymore. Plus, I really like that both socks match.

Two Socks/One Circ!

As I think I've written earlier, I decided this year to take my knitting up a notch and explore some new techniques. I've tackled knitting one sock on two circulars and really enjoy that method, so my next step (no pun intended) was to try two socks on one circular. I used Melissa Morgan Oakes 2-at-a-time Socks book and really appreciated the clear photos. I'm not done yet, but I'm close.

The first thing that disappointed me was the time it took to get to the heel flap. Then, I remembered I was knitting two socks at the same time, not one. Now, it seems as though it's going faster. I really like this method too.

My only complaint with DPNs is that if I'm knitting in public, they tend to escape. My most embarrassing escape was in a town meeting situation that was held in a theater. I like to sit in the back, so I don't disturb anyone. But this night, at a quiet moment in the meeting, one of my DPNs escaped and I could hear it roll down to the front of the theater. A couple other people heard too and turned back to look at me. I tried to look as innocent as possible. I retrieved it at the end of the meeting and of course, an acquaintance said, "Lose a needle?" I don't think that will happen with either of the circular methods.

Swizzle Socks

I just finished these socks. I used Swizzle by Reynolds Yarns for the first time. I really like knitting with this yarn and the hand of the finished sock. They should be very comfortable to wear. I also liked the striping - it's flashy, yet I can wear it to work. Plus, the repeat is frequent enough that I didn't feel I was wasting yarn by starting at the same repeat for the second sock. I have a hangup about my socks matching exactly.

Textured Socks

I'm still working on the written pattern for these. But I think I need a snazzier name than "Textured Socks"! The textured stitch gives the self-striping yarn a muted or air-brushed look. I can't wait to try it on a solid to see how it looks. I used Trekking (XXL) in color 108. The stripe does not repeat very often so I got almost to the toe of the first sock before the repeat, so I broke off and started the second sock so the two socks would at least be similar. In looking at the photo; however, it does not seem to be an exact repeat. If I keep moving my feet when I'm wearing them - no one will notice! Even so, if someone is that close to my feet to see that my socks aren't an exact match - they're too close!